Reeves Hints She Expects to Lose Her Job as Chancellor

Rachel Reeves, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, seems to know her time in the job is almost over. She gave a TV interview to the BBC that sounded more like a goodbye than a plan for the future. Andy Burnham is expected to become the next Prime Minister in about three weeks. Reports say he is unlikely to keep Reeves as his chancellor.

During the interview, Reeves said she is proud of her work over the past two years. She told the BBC that whoever takes over will find the economy in better shape than it was when she started. She said, 'I know that whoever is prime minister and chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.' This was her way of defending her record before leaving office.

Reporters asked Reeves if she would accept a smaller job in the cabinet if Burnham offered her one. She did not say yes or no. She simply said it was the new Prime Minister's right to choose who works in his government. Her careful answer made it seem like she was not expecting a big role.

People also noticed that Reeves did not stand outside Downing Street when Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave his resignation speech on Monday. But she did appear at Westminster Hall for a photo with Burnham and other Labour MPs. She said her loyalty to Starmer had never been in doubt, though she gave no reason for skipping his speech.

Later that day, Reeves spoke at the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London. Many other political leaders also spoke there, including the shadow chancellor and the Liberal Democrat leader. It was one of Reeves's last big public events before a new government is expected to take over. The conference gave her a final stage to speak about the UK's economy.